Shloka 13
Chapter 14: Divyāstra-Prayoga and Ṛṣi Intervention (दिव्यास्त्रप्रयोगः ऋषिसमागमश्च)
तौ मुनी सर्वधर्मज्ञौ सर्वभूतहितैषिणौ । दीप्तयोरस्त्रयोर्म ध्ये स्थितो परमतेजसौ
tau munī sarvadharmajñau sarvabhūtahitaiṣiṇau | dīptayor astrayor madhye sthito paramatejasau ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Ang dalawang pantas na iyon, na ganap na nakaaalam ng dharma at nakatuon sa kapakanan ng lahat ng nilalang, ay tumindig sa pagitan ng dalawang naglalagablab na sandata—nagniningning sa sukdulang karilagan—upang payapain ang dalawang bayani, sina Aśvatthāmā at Arjuna. Ipinakikita ng tagpong ito na kahit sa gitna ng puwersang tila pangwakas ng daigdig, ang pinakamataas na kapangyarihan ay ang pagpipigil na ginagabayan ng dharma at habag para sa lahat ng buhay.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when destructive power is unleashed, dharma expresses itself as restraint and universal compassion. The sages’ act of standing between blazing astras symbolizes moral authority that prioritizes the welfare of all beings over victory or vengeance.
In the aftermath of the night massacre, Aśvatthāmā and Arjuna are poised in a deadly exchange of astras. Two supremely radiant sages, described as knowers of dharma and benefactors of all creatures, position themselves between the weapons to calm the warriors and prevent catastrophic harm.